Health On The Line

In this episode, Matthew Taylor is joined by Dr Ify Okocha, James Duncan and Rebecca Gray to unpack the mental health implications of the government's new Ten-Year Health Plan. From the rollout of neighbourhood health centres to mental health support in schools, the panel explores whether the plan’s bold ambitions can meet the realities of delivery. They also dive into harnessing digital tools, the social determinants of mental ill health, the role of integrated care boards and how working with local leadership can drive meaningful change. Our guests for this episode are: Dr Ify Okocha, chief executive of Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust James Duncan, chief executive of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust Rebecca Gray, director of the NHS Confederation’s Mental Health Network Plus, we hear from Tom Gurney, director of strategic communication and engagement at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board for this week’s Leader in Six.  Health on the Line is an NHS Confederation podcast, produced by HealthCommsPlus 

Since its creation in 1948, the NHS has had to move with the times. But while change is an ever-present feature, can the NHS approach it in a different or better way? In this bonus episode, Matthew Taylor puts the question to Dr Richard Jones and Dr Llinos Jones from the ChangeACADEMY. The academy – a programme offered by AstraZeneca (AZ) in collaboration with the NHS Confederation – creates change leaders that can deliver strategic, system-level change on behalf of NHS organisations and the patients it serves. Richard, a faculty member, and Llinos, alumnus of the academy, shed light on the academy’s approach to change and how it’s improving patient care and outcomes. They also unpack how to untangle the knotty issues of spreading and scaling good practice and innovation across the NHS. This podcast episode has been developed in collaboration with AstraZeneca. Guest speakers have been contracted by AstraZeneca. This episode is intended for UK Healthcare Professionals and other Relevant Decision Makers. The ChangeACADEMY is a non-promotional service initiated and funded by AstraZeneca and offered to the NHS as Donated Goods and Services (DOGS).  This service is offered to clinical and non-clinical personnel who represent NHS Healthcare organisations and meet the delegate criteria. The views and opinions expressed are those of the Speakers. GB-66536, Date of Preparation: May 2025Health on the Line is an NHS Confederation podcast, produced by HealthCommsPlus 

For this episode of Health on the Line, we're joined by three expert guests to unpack the government's Ten-Year Health Plan, which has just been released. We'll be reflecting on the key elements of the plan – what it means for the health and care service and the kinds of shifts that will be needed for it to be successful. We also reflect on the current landscape that the plan lands in with changes within integrated care boards and acutes, in particular; the capacity needed to achieve the neighbourhood shift; and discuss what the barriers to success of the plan might be and how these could be overcome.Our guests for this episode are: Claire Fuller, GP and Primary Care Medical Director for NHS England Sam Allen, Chief Executive, North East and North Cumbria ICB Bill Morgan, former Number 10 health adviser Gubby-Ayida, chief executive of Evelina London’s Women's and Children's Services, part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust is with us for our Leader in Six.  Health on the Line is an NHS Confederation podcast, produced by HealthCommsPlus 

For this episode of Health on the Line, recorded live at NHS ConfedExpo 2025, we’re exploring all things comms and engagement within the NHS.  Our communications director Daniel Reynolds leads the discussion and is joined by three communications executives with deep experience in the sector: Edna Boampong, Ranjeet Kaile and Rory Hegarty.  The lively discussion covers everything from challenges facing comms professionals in the sector: whether the profession has a ‘branding’ problem; diversity in the NHS; and harnessing the power of AI.  Edna Boampong is director of communications and engagement at Liverpool City Council. Ranjeet Kaile is executive director of communications, public affairs and stakeholder engagement at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and South East London ICB.    Rory Hegarty is executive director of communications and involvement at North West London ICB.   Health on the Line is an NHS Confederation podcast, produced by HealthCommsPlus

In this special episode of Health on the Line, recorded live from NHS ConfedExpo 2025, host Matthew Taylor is joined by Channel 4’s Victoria Macdonald and The Sunday Times’ Shaun Lintern to reflect on two packed days of debate, insight, and networking. With almost 7,000 delegates and over 150 sessions, the trio discuss their key takeaways from the conference—including health secretary Wes Streeting’s speech, Jim Mackey’s leadership style at NHS England, and the emerging contours of the government’s ten-year health plan.Health on the Line is an NHS Confederation podcast, produced by HealthCommsPlus.

Ahead of NHS ConfedExpo 2025, Matthew Taylor caught up with the new Chief Executive of NHS England, Sir Jim Mackey, for a wide-ranging discussion touching on the challenges facing the health system, the 10 year health plan, navigating politics and developing leadership across the NHS. Plus, our Leader in Six with Lorraine Mattis, Chief Executive of University of Suffolk Dental CIC.

FEED SWAP. Our Leading Improvement in Health and Care podcast is back for a second series. To give you a flavour of the show, we're putting out episode one on our Health on the Line stream.In this episode we’re exploring how to mobilise change effectively within and between organisations, particularly in relation to the government’s forthcoming Ten Year Plan for the NHS.With unique insights into how effective change has been implemented, core principles to apply and how to approach these in relation to the Ten Year Plan, we’re joined by Dr. Gary Howsam, Chief Clinical Improvement Officer NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB and Annie Williamson, research fellow in health and care at the IPPR.For more information on out Learning and Improving Across Systems Peer Learning Programme, please visit: https://www.nhsconfed.org/learning-improving-systems/peer-learning.NEXT WEEK SIR JIM MACKEY - INTERVIEW WITH NHS ENGLAND CEO. He talks to Matthew Taylor ahead of Confed Expo 2025.

The budget cuts to integrated care boards and their impact are a shock to many across the health care system, but also an opportunity for leaders to implement changes in the fundamental structures of primary and secondary care. Could this be the moment to make the investment shift to primary and community services?To discuss the potential and pitfalls, Matthew is joined by Rory Deighton, director of the NHS Confederation’s acute network, and Ruth Rankine, director of our primary care network.Our Leader In Six segment is with Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers.

With the recent release of the ICB operating model blueprint, Matthew discusses the future for how ICBs may operate in the face of the 50 per cent cut in operating costs.  Crucial to the future success of ICBs will be the importance of working with local government and the need for strategic commissioning.  Joining Matthew on the podcast are two ICB leaders who were part of the working group that helped develop the blueprint: David Melbourne, chief executive of Birmingham and Solihull ICB, and Jan Thomas, chief executive of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB. This week's Leader in Six interview is with Kate Shields, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB chief executive.